Google Street View is not only the best way to look for Australians in awkward situations outdoors (ahem). It's also now one of the most compelling visualisations of the effects of climate change we've ever seen.

Luckily many of the world's biggest cities are all at roughly the same level, and so the images of New York, London and Tokyo under water are probably not too far off.

It's a great little idea, though, and it's really fun. Well, looking at your own doomed abode might not be that chucklesome... but it's good to browse the houses of your enemies, and know that they too will be battling the cannibal gangs and sharks with the same moist despair as you.

Check it out at the website. We've copied in some of our favourite views in the slideshow above.